Keeper of the Crown

A gripping new novel, Keeper of the Crown is set in
Baghdad, Iraq. The year is 1936, a period of upheaval, and anti-Jewish riots are
sweeping the city. Jacob Matalon decides he must attempt to send his daughter,
twelve-year-old Masuda, far from the dangers surrounding them. He arranges for
his Iraqi neighbor, Mrs. Faraj, to dress Masuda as a non-Jew and accompany her
to the safer city of Aleppo, to be protected there by her uncle.

But should Masuda trust her scheming neighbor? Taking
courage, she escapes from Mrs. Faraj, and her adventure begins! With her astute
resourcefulness and bolstered by her strong Jewish faith, the girl manages to
find her way to Aleppo ù only to be caught up in life-threatening plot. Through
clever detective work and bold action, she discovers the secret connections
between a mysterious ring, a suspicious European Jew and an ancient Sefer Torah.

True to her Sephardic heritage, Mrs. Shalom ù author of
Through the Flames of Aleppo ù faithfully recreates the Jewish experience in
Arab countries.

The color, flavor and rich culture of these exotic lands
come alive through her inspired pen. This heart-thumping, electrifying adventure
will be treasured by readers ages 10-14 (and donÆt be surprised if their parents
canÆt put it down either!).